"If we continue (using electricity at the current level), there is the possibility of an all-out blackout in the area,"Kan said."The impact of a sudden, large-scale blackout would be immense and we must prevent it at all costs."

"This was a hard decision to make, (knowing) that it would cause a lot of inconvenience to the public,"Kan said, adding that the blackouts could disrupt various necessities such as gas and water supply and medical treatment. "Please be creative in protecting yourselves from this blackout."